Chef Ryan Thompson at Hellyer Park Velodrome Pizza Pop-up.

Chef Ryan Thompson

Santa Cruz native and award-winning pizza chef Ryan Thompson is living the dream with the opening of Pogonip Pizza. He’s keeping it in the family as a third-generation Santa Cruz restaurateur.

Vision

To create a beloved, enduring place where families and students gather, local roots are celebrated, and every meal is a moment that matters.

Mission

Pogonip Pizza exists to serve great food where students, families, and neighbors all have a warm and friendly seat at the table — building community one pizza at a time, championing sustainable practices, celebrating our local and outdoor roots, and staying profitable so we can keep doing it all for generations to come.
© 2026 Pogonip Pizza